System for handling freight and baggage.



M. U. BERNHEIM. SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE. APPLICATIONFILED AUG. 4, 1910. RENEWED JUNE 4, 1914.

1,124,272. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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M II n w 1 1 1 1 IIE L I l $21;

n} H H 11 1| a M \A-J M. U. BERNHEIM. SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT ANDBAGGAGE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4. 1910. RENEWED JUNE 4, 1914.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

10 BHEETS-SHBBT Z.

5 13 9T 13 M 2 .M an E H ds mm H m a P M. U. BERNHEIM. SY$TEM FORHANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1910. RENEWEDJUNE 4, 1914. 1 1 24,272.

awuwto'o MLU. BERNHEIM.

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.4, 1910.RENEWED JUNE 4, 1914.

1 ,124,272, Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

g O O O O O W Q q C) O O G O M. U. BERNHEIM. SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHTAND BAGGAGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUGA, 1910. RENEWED JUNE 4, 1

914. 1 124,272. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' M. U. BBRNHEIM.

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.4, 1910. BENEWED JUNE 4, 1914. 1 1 24,272.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

M. U. BERNHEIM.

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE. APPLIOATIONTILED AUG.4, 1910.RENEWED JUNE 4, 1914.

1 124,272. Patented Jan. 12,1915.

10 BHEETSSHEBT 7.

M. U. BERNHEIM.

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1910. RENEWED JUNE 4, 1914.

1 124,272. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

QE-um% 771 Z .77 ww4/ 35% Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

M. U. BBRNHEIM.

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1910.RENEWED JUNE 4, 1914.

( nueul'oz 3 4 MAM 7% Witnesses {M 41:

M. U. BERNHEIM.

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUGA, 1910. RENEWED JUNE 4, 1914.

l 1 24,272. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

)Wifncmca z 229 200 v n qr 7 4M fl-Mw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS U. BERNHEIM, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOB TO THEALVEY-FEBGU- SON COMPANY, OF OAKLEY, CINCINNATI, OHIO, A OORPORATIOH'OFOHIO.

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING FREIGHT AND BAGGAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ja 12 1915 continuation inpart 01' application Serial No. 517,450, tiled September 13, 1908. Thisapplication filed August 4, 1910, Serial No. 575,511. Renewed June 4,1914. Serial No. 843,092.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ,I, Momus U. Bnnnnnm, a citizen of the United States,residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State ofKentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Systems forHandling Freight and Baggage, of which the following is a specification.

The main or ultimate object of the present invention is to provide asystem for handling freight or baggage at railway stations, which willhave many new and severally useful features contributing to theproduction of a system for loading and unloading freight and baggage,which in a most economical manner will answer very exacting requirementsas to the volume of matter which must be handled within a given time andas to the disposition that is to be made of such matter, and furtherwill save much of the manual labor now required to handle the freightand baggage at these places.

Another of the objects of the invention isto provide a system forhandling freight and baggage, upon trucks or other suitable carriers,which, without resorting to the use of straight lift elevators, willtransferthe carriers from one level to another, and will affordprovision for their diversion severally to their various destinations:as,'for example, by a continuous travel thereof from one train toanother train waiting upon the same level to receive the freight orbaggage from the first train; or from a train or trains to a station orstations for inbound freight, on a different level, convenient to aplace for the delivery thereof to the teams which deliver them to theconsignees: or from said inbound station or stations to a station orstations for outbound freight, when it is to be transferred to anoutgoing train not ready to receive it, or from said inbound station toa storage station or stations on a diiferent level; or from saidoutbound station, which is conveniently arranged to receive freight orbaggage from teams, to any one of various trains arranged on a differentlevel from that of the outbound station; or from the storage station orstations to the inbound or outbound stations referred to and thencedelivered to teams or carried below to the trains.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel means forelectrically propelling the trucks upon a level, which will haveimportant advantages for use in a system of the type herein exempli ied.

There are other objects which will hereafter appear. I he inventionconsists in certain peculiar- 1t1es 1n the construction of parts, and incertain novel combinations and arrangements of elements substantially ashereinafter described and particularly pointedout in the subjoinedclaims. v

In the accompanying drawings there are illustrated whatare considered tobe the most desirable typical embodiments of the invention, and it is tobe understood that the invention is not restricted to the details ofthese embod ments as many changes may be made in such details and theinvention otherwise variously embodied without -departing from itsspirit or the scope of the subjoined claims, wherein like characters ofreference designate like parts in the several 7 views.

Figure -1 1s a dlagrammatlc plan view illustrating a railway stationprovided with my system, and illustrat ng one embodiment thereof, with apart of the floor broken'away to disclose the portion of the systembeneath the same, on the lower floor, other parts-of the system on thelower floor being shown in dotted outline. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailview illustrating the parts at a place where the trucks are transferredfrom one level to another. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are views illustrative of asecond embodiment of the invention, wherein the trains are on one.level, and the freight house with its in bound. outbound and storageplaces are on two different levels above the train level. In thesefigures, Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the lowermost or train level:Fig.

4 is a diagrammatic view of the intermedi- Fig. 6 is a vertical of atruck wherein the guide wheel is not connected with the handle. Fig. 15is a detail vertical section showing the connection of the guide'wheelwith the bolster.

In the present system it is intended to transfer the freight or baggageupon wheeled carriers, -those exemplified be ng two and four-wheeltrucks A and A respectively, which, except, as to features hereinafterset forth, necessary to adapt them to the present system, may be of theusual construction of freight or baggage trucks intended to be. manuallypropelled. These carriers are propelled upon a we or ways located upondifferent levels. T ese ways are provided by one or more'platforins orfloors of a railway transfer house, freight shed or warehouse, forexample. U

As already stated, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawingstwo systems, each embodying a plurality of 'fioors or levels with meansfor conveying the trucks upon and between the same. The systemsillustrated are suited to materially different conditions as regards thearrangement of the railway tracks with respect to the freight or bag agehouse and the level at which the freight or baggage is received from ordelivered to teams,'and also as regards the number of levels upon andbetween which the trucks are conveyed. Itshould be understood that thesesystems are illustrated merely to exemplify different practicable anddesirable arrangements, and it is apparent that they will serve thispurpose and also will suggest various arrangements suited to variousconditions. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is notrestricted to these particular embodiments and that many and variousembodiments thereof apparently widely different from those hereinillustrated, may be made and are contemplated to be within the spirit ofthe invention and the scope of thesubjoined claims.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a system wherein a freight or baggagehouse G is encircled by a platform H and is. disposed between railwaytracks as X, X, X and X, any number of which are arranged on oppositesides thereof. The platform is preferably arranged on a level with thefloors of the cars of the trains Y, Y. Y and Y on said tracks and belowthis level there is a second floor orplatform I, which may be employedfor the storage of the freight or baggage, or for its delivery to or itsreceipt from wagons. It will of course be understood that the portion ofthe house marked G in Fig. 1 may be covered, and that the baggage orfreight may be received from or delivered to the wagons at the levelofthe floor thereof or platform H, in lieu of atthe level of the floorI, whichever is more convenient.

In the system exemplified in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 the railway tracks, markedX f -X" both inclusive are below the level at which the baggage orfreight is received from or delivered to the wagons and the latter levelis below a level upon which the baggage or freight may be stored. Inthis system as herein illustrated the house G, is, as shown in Fig. 4divided into two portions G and G", with an open space G between. them.

The portion G maydesirably be utilized for inbound freight or baggageand the portion G for outbound freight. The space G" between themaffords facilities for the wagons which deliver the baggage or freightto or receive the same from the station. This spacedoes not extend fromone side to the other of the building and hence a passageway G is leftthrough which the portions Gr and G of the building have communicationwith each other. Preferably the floors of said portions G and G" andpassageway G are at such a height above the street as tobe approximatelyon a level with the floors of the wagons. As shown in Fig. 5 there is anuppermost floor G" having communication with the lower floor shown inFig. 4, through the means hereinafter set forth: and as shown in Fig. 3there is at the train level any suitable number of platforms, suitablvdisposed with reference to the tracks. These platforms are marked G",G", G, Gr and G in said figure and they are connected with each other atone end by a transverse platform G".

The platforms G G, inclusive, are preferably arranged on the level ofthe floors of the cars on the tracks X X inelusive. In all of thevarious embodiments of the invention each floor or platform provides away for the trucks A and A and is provided with means for propelling thetrucks thereover. Moreover they are connected with each other by endlesstraveling platforms E and F arranged at suitable places for conveyingthe trucks from one to the other. These endless traveling platforms maybe of identical construction and their directions of movement preferablyare such that certain of them will serve to lower called elevators andare marked F. The means referred to for propelling the trucks over theseveral wavs comprise what is here-' therefrom to predetermined places.These lines define the movements of the trucks.

As will be seen upon reference to Fig.1 the main line C on the upperfloor extends continuously around the ortion G of the house upon theplatform and its switches or branch lines D tap the main line atintervals, some of them extending toward the tracks and being atdistances apart approximately the same as that between'the doorways ofcars; others of them extending toward the building and still othersextending between the main line and the upper ends of the elevator F andlowerer E. Themain line C on the lower floor of this system similarlyextends continuously around the floor and has branch lines or switchesleading therefrom in any requireddirection, including some, shown indotted lines in Fig. 1 and marked D',-extending between the main lineand the lower ends of the elevator and lowerer, respectively. In theother exemplified system there are several main lines onthe variousfloors so connected with each other as conveniently to conduct thetrucks to their several destinations. Thus in Fig. 4 there is shownaline, marked C extending from an elevator F in the inbound portion Galong the ortion' G and .into outbound portion Within which latter it isconnected with a'series of lowerers E, by switches D and a curvedsection D said'curved section forming one terminal of the main line.These lowerers E extend from the level of the team floor down to theseveral platforms G while the elevator F referred to, at. the otherterminus of the main line C extends from the platform G. A secondelevator F extends from said platform G into the inbound portion G, andfrom-it leadsa second main line C. which extends through the connectingportion G and around within the outbound portion G. The line 0 with itsdescribed elevators and lowerers is particularly intended for thetransfer of freight or baggage from any car on any one of the tracks X-X inclusive to any other car on said tracks. The line C with itselevator is particularly intended for the handling of freight or baggagedestined for the station G and also freight or baggage destined foranother station reached by' a train not ready to receive it, as well asfor freight or baggage received at said. station from the teams anddestined for another station. It is associated within the outboundportion G with a branch C which connects two of its branches with eachother the platforms G -G inclusive a branch line extends from the baseof each lowerer E from the outbound portion G to av line C extendingaround the platform G. This line C is connected with each line C by aswitch D and one of its ends terminates adjacent to the elevator whichconnects it with the line C while its other end is connected by a branchline D with the elevator F which leads to the line C. This line Cis'further tapped by branch lines or switches D enabling trucks to bediverted therefrom onto the latform G when desired and each line 18 istapped at proper intervals by branch lines or switches D for thediversion of the trucks therefrom onto the platforms (El -Grespectively. These branch lines or switches D are preferably arrangedat distances apart approximately equal to the distances between doorwaysof cars and extend'toward such doorways and serveto divert the trucksfrom their several lines C Upon the uppermost floor G", shown in Fig. 5,there is a main line marked G which extends in any suitable direction ordirectionsfrom the elevator F in the inbound portion G of the floorbeneath, to a lowerer E leading from the floor G: to the outboundportion G the base of the last mentioned lowerer preferably beingsuitably connected with the line C. This line C also is tapped atsuitable intervals by switches or branch lines D serving to divert thetrucks therefrom at adjacent places where the baggage is to be stored.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the system illustrated in Figs.3, 4 and 5 may be used as follows: When it is desired to transforfreight or baggage from any car on any one of the tracks to a carstanding on any of the other tracks, a truck after'beingloaded fromthe'first car is placed on the main line C on the platform adjacent tosaid car, and is propelled by said main line to the elevator F whichwill conduct it to the main line C on the floor above, and from thismain line it is directed'tothe lowerer leading to the particular line Cwhich serves the track on which stands the second car, and is divertedfrom said line C at a place adiacent to said car.

Trucks containing freight or baggage which have reached theirdestinations or are to be delivered to outbound trains not ready toreceive them, are carried by the appropriate main line C to the mainline C and are diverted from the latter by the switch D to the elevatorF which will conduct them to the main line C. and are diverted from saidmain line C at any appropriate place. This place mav be within the floorbelow,

the freight or baggage has reached its destination or it is to bedelivered to another train not ready to receive it. When the train lastreferred to is ready to receive the freight or baggage, a truckcontaining the latter is placed on an appropriate part of the'line C anddelivered thence to the line C" which conducts it to the line 0 fromwhich it is diverted to the appropriate lowerer, or it may be' placeddirectly upon the line C", for deliver to the line C", or even directlyupon the l1ne C, whichever is more convenient.

When storage of the freight or baggage for comparatively prolongedperiods is desired, or when for any other purpose it is desirable toconduct either inbound or outbound freight or baggage from the floorshown in Fig. 4 to an upper floor, it is delivered to the particularelevator F whose upper ends communicate with the line C shown in Fig. 5.This elevator is shown in Fig. 4 as arranged between the previouslyreferred to elevators and as having its receiving end connected with theline C, at a place adjacent to the elevator leading to said line C, byabranch line and switch D. The trucks may be diverted from the line C atvarious places, by the branch lines D". As a lowerer E extends intothisv upper level from the level below, freight or baggage may bedelivered by said lowerer to for any disposition thereof that the casecalls for. Preferably the line C extends to this lowerer for delivery ofthe freight or baggage thereto.

In the use of the system exemplified by i Fig. 1 baggage or freight maybe transferred from a car of one train to a car of another train,located for example on the opposite side of theplatform conveniently byengaging it with the main line C at a place adjacent to that at which itis loaded and diverting it from said main line at a place adjacent tothe car which is to receive its load.

- In the event that the truck contains freight or baggage which shouldbe delivered'into the lower roomor upon the lower floor it is divertedfrom the mainline at a place adjacent to the lowerer E, and is conductedby said lowerer to the lower fioorand is then moved by the line on saidfloor from which it is diverted at any desired place. In the event thata storage place is provided on the upper level, and it is desired todeliver loadedtrucks thereto, toward such storage place such truck maybe .divertedfrom the main line C.' ,on said level by the particularswitch D locatednearest theretog I s While reference 'h's here been onlyto the travel of loaded"trucks'yetjtis' apparent that empty trucks maybe propelled by any of the loadingstations through paths provided by thesevera 1 lines referred to, most convement for the conduct of suchtrucks between predetermined stations. It

ient for the transfer of trucks between the A places stated yet it isnot essential that the trucks travelthese particular paths between theplaces named. For example, the parts on t e platforms, Gi -G which havebeen described as lowerers may be utilized as elevators, with thecorresponding reversal of direction of the movements of the parts whichhave been described as lowerers and intermediate levels and also acorresponding reversal two levels. Again the lines on the two upperfloors may be variously arranged to suit the requirements of .variousinstallations, all within the spirit of the invention. It should also beunderstood that attendants are located wherever necessary al ng thelines of travel of the trucks and at the various loading and unloadingstations to attend to the proper disposition of the trucks.

Having now exemplified desirable arrangements of lines and tra els ofthe trucks, the preferred construction of said lines and of the trucksand platforms will now be set forth. i

Each main line preferably comprises a groove 1 formed in its way andmeans to propel the trucks upon said way. This means preferably islocated beneath the surface of the way and is of a kind which enables itto impart movement to the truck on the way through the intervention of asuitable element which projects into engagement therewith from eachtruck and travels in the groove 1. trated embodiment of the invention isof the underground-conductor type.and. therefore. there is illustrated aconduit tube containing a conductor 3, which is placed in such relationto the groove'that a suitable conducting element carried by each truckmay project through the groove into electrical contact with theconductor 3, as herein set forth. It is apparent however that featuresof the invention lend themselves to .the utilization of other means forpropelan electrical nature or of a mechanical nature (as an endlesstraveling chain for instance) that it be arranged below the plane of theway and be associated with a groove which will exercise a guidingfunction upon the trucks as well as afford a convenient means for accessto the power transmitting element referredto.

The groove of each main line is provided at intervals with lateralopenings 4 at The herein illuswhich the trucks are diverted therefrom,suitable means, as switch points 5, being employed adjacent to saidopenings to guide the trucks from the main line onto the branch lines.As already stated these branch lines lead to predetermined places, as,for example, to places contiguous to cars which are to be loaded orunloaded, to storage places, to places convenient to wagons, and toelevators or lowerers, according to the particular requirements of theinstallation. Each branch line preferably includes a groove in the wayand a means in operative relation with the same for imparting movementto the trucks, which need not be referred to in detail herein, because,when employed they may be, and preferably are, identical with that inthe several main lines. Preferably, howv ever, the diverting meansadjacent to the receiving ends of .the lowerers and the elevators areunprovided with a power imparting means, in order that full control ofthe trucks by attendants will not in anywise be interfered with. This,however, is not essential, nor is it essential that any of the branchlines include power imparting means; though it is highly desirable inany case to provide grooves in all the branch lines.

The several switch points are provided with suitable means, indicatedgenerally at J in Fig. 2, for throwing them so as either to break thecontinuity of the main and establish communication therewith of one ormore of the switches or branch lines, or to close communication of themam line with the switches or branch lines. These points,

of course, will be severally controlled, eitherfrom a common station, orfrom separate stations, as desired. As a. particular means for throwingthe points is not essential to the invention and different means adaptedto serve the purpose will suggest themselves to those skilled in suchmatters, it is considered to be unnecessary to describe any special oneherein. Different forms of trucks are herein illustrated to exemplify 12at the rear.

what is believed to be suitable types for the present system.

Referring to the forms shown in Figs. 7, .w. and 9, the platform of thetruck. designated A in these figures, is mounted upon two wheels 11 atthe front and upon a wheel This rear wheel is mounted upon a horizontalaxis 13 which is borne by a yoke 14 provided with a vertical spindle 15.extending through a sleeve 16, which sleeve forms a bearing for thespindle and projects from the platform 10. The wheel 12 is thus free toswing upon a vertical axis as well as to rotate upon its horizontalaxis. Its tread is provided with a flange 17 to travel in the grooves ofthe ways, and the remaining portion of the tread is arranged to run uponthe way, the latter being preferably provided with wear plates 18 whichare flush with the surface of the way and are arranged at opposite sidesof the groove,

to form tracks for said wheel. From the upper end of the spindle an arm19 extends into engagement with cross-springs 20, which preferably havemeans for adjusting their tension. The tension-adjusting means hereshown comprises nuts 21 and 22'which are threaded on the ends of rods 23and 24, which project from the springs and are suitably supported by theframe of the truck. A. depending guiding means 25 is also arranged atthe front of the truck and is adapted to travel in the grooves in theways. In the exemplified form of the invention, this guiding means is asleeve which is preferably suitably connected to the axle 26' upon whichthe wheels 11 are mounted,

and through it extends an arm 27 the upper end of which is properlyelectrically connected with an electric motor 28, while the lower endcarries the contact element 29 which engages the conductor 3. Thiscontact element is preferably a rotative one, as shown, and theconductor may be either a wire or a rail as desired. The sleeve 25obviously should be insulated from the arm 27 and it is apparent thatany suitable electrical motor may be employed andthat suitableelectrical connections, whereby the current from the conductor 3 may beavailed of to drive the motor, will readily suggest themselves to thosepersons familiar with such matters. F or this reason I do not considerit necessary particularly to illustrate the construction of the electricmotor or the circuit-forming means herein. Power derived from this motoris transmitted to the driving Wheels of the truck in the exemplifiedform of the invention, through the intermeshing gears 30 and 31. shaft32, worm 33, gear 34 and axle 26. The contact element 29 is yieldablyheld to the conductor 3 by a spring 35 which presses thereagainst and ismounted in the sleeve 25 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8.

F or reasons which will hereinafter fully appear it is desirable attimes to disconnect the truck from the main and branch lines andto adaptit to be manually. propelled to and from said lines. The guide sleeve 25is. therefore, pivotally mounted so that it, and the arm 27 and contactelement 29, may be turned into or above the plane of the upper surfaceof the way. A very desirable means for accomplishing this adjustment,consists of a link or lever 36 which is pivoted at 37 to the sleeve 25below the fulcrum of the latter and extends thence rearward to thecranked portion 38 of a shaft 39 which extends transversely of thetruck. This transverse shaft is journaled in the side members of thetruck frame, and its ends are pro- The rear ends of these links 41 arepivoted at 42 to bent handles or grip pieces 43 which in turn areplvoted, between their ends, at 44, to brackets 45 which extend from theside members of thetruck frame adjacent to the handles or grip portions46 of the latter. The actuating elements 43 of the adjusting means arethus locatedin the most convenient position, as the attendant whengrasping the' truck handles 46 to move the truck may at-the same timegrasp the grip levers 43 and by moving .the same toward said handlesraise the sleeve 25 and contact element 29 out of the groove in the way,into the position shown in dotted outline 1n Fig. 8. If desiredsuitablemeans for holding the parts in adjusted position may be employed.

In lieu of the particular described gear connections between the motorand axle, other connections may be employed. For example, in Fig. 10, Ihave illustrated a simplified form of connection wherein the gear on themotorshaft directly intermeshes with the gearon the driving axle. One ofthese gears is marked 130 and the other 134.

In Figs. 11 and 12 adesirable constructlon of a four wheel platformtruck A" embodyin my improvements is exemplified. In

th1s form the guide wheel, marked 212, is

preferabl at the front of the truck and. the contact element, marked229,is preferably at the rear of the truck, when the latter is beingmanuallypulled. In the automatic propulsion of the truck the end thereofhaving the contact element preferably is the forward end in order thatthe power may be most eflectively utilized. In this form of theinvention the means for conveying the current to the motor, the motoritself, and the means for transmitting the power of the motor to thedrivin axle need not be substantially different rom the correspendingelements described with reference to the two-wheel truck, and hence neednot be articularly referred to .herein. It is pre erable, however, tochange the trolleyadjusting means to that illustrated,which consists ofa link 40 .pivoted'at one end to the sleeve, marked 125, and. at itsother end to an actuating handle 141 which depends from the underside ofthe platform of the truck and is pivoted to a bracket 142. A catch 143is employed to engage the handle and thereby hold the sleeve and thecontact element in their inoperative position, shown in dotted lines inFig. 12.- The supporting wheels 200 and 201 at the other end of thetruck are mounted on separate axles 202 and 203 respectively. Theseaxles are each journaled in lugs 204 and 205 respectively, (Fig- 13)projecting from a bolster 206. This=' bolster is mounted to turnpivotally with reference to the truck platform in order thatthe wheels200 and 201 may conform in their movements to the bends in the guidinggrooves of the way. The means whereby its movements are controlled bsaid grooves comprise a sleeve 206 whic parta res of the movement of thebolster and is mounted in registering position with a second sleeve, 207which is secured to the frame or platformof the truck. A uide wheel,marked 212 is mounted upon a orizontal axle 213, which is borne by ayoke 214, and a vertical spindle-215 extending from the yoke frame 216,through the sleeve 206- and into the sleeve 207. This spindle has anangular section 217 and the interior of the sleeve 206F'iscorrespondingly shaped whereby lateral movement communicated tothe'guide wheel by the bend in the guiding groove will be' transmittedto said sleeve, thus turning the'bolster'. The contacting faces of thesleeves 206 and 207 form substantially a fifth wheel, and the spindle215 is round at this place, as shown at 218, in

order to constitute a pivot for the turning movement. It will be notedthat a space 219 is provided in the sleeve 207 for vertical movement ofthe spindle, which movement takes place during the adjustment of theguide wheel 212 into and out of its operative position. Preferably aspring. 220 is provided around the spindle to hold the when the latteris being manually propelled.

The illustrated connection consists of a'yoke themembers of which aredesignated 224 and 225. To this yoke the lower end of the handle 223 ispivoted at 226 in order that the handle may be turned upward when thetruck is being electrically propelled. The handle is held in thisposition by a pivoted latch 227 and a lug 228. It is preferred toconnect the handle 223 with the guide wheel in such a manner that thelatter will be raised to its inoperative position automatically by thelowering of the handle for use A convenient means for this purpose isillustrated and comprises a fork 229 secured at one end to a projection229 from the handle, and having the other ends of its I that when thehandle 223 is lowered the yoke 229 will be raised and willcorrespondlngly elevate the guiding wheel, until its circumferentialflange is above the plane of the way, and that when the handle is raisedthe spring 220 will press the guide wheel and its supporting elementsdownward and hold it in operative position, the latch 227 and lug 228acting to hold the handle up whereby accidental raising of the guidewheel is prevented. While I regard this adjusting of the guide wheel asdesirable, yet it is not wholy essential. and connection of the handlewith the guide wheel for the purpose of adiusting the latter may beomitted. In this case the guide wheel may be adjusted by a separateinstrumentality, or it may be permitted to run on the surface of the wavwhile the truck is being manually propelled, as desired.

The preferred construction of the elevators and the lowerers is shownbest in Figs. 2 and 6. Each comprises as a principal part thereof, apair of endless moving sections a arranged at opposite sides of itslongitudinal center and each having its surface interrupted to formpockets for the wheels of the trucks. As here shown, each section iscomposed of a series ofspaced slats 100, each end of wh ch is connectedto a link 101 of an endless chain 102 of suitable construction. Thischain passes over sprockets 103 and 104, respectively mounted at thebase and top of the elevator or lowerer. At the longitudinal center,there is a channel 105 in' which travels an endless chain 106 havingupwardly projecting lugs 107 at proper intervals. This chain engagessprockets 108 and 109, the former of which is located at the base of thetraveling platform in advance of the sprocket 103, while the sprocket109 is arranged at the top thereof, rearward of the sprocket 104. Thesprockets 103 and 108 are arranged in approximately the same horizontalplane and the sprockets 104 and 109 similarly are horizontally alined,in order that the receiving and delivering portions of the elevator orlowerer will be approximately horizontal, the inclination commencing ata point near the base thereof rearward of the sprocket 103 andterminating at a place near the top of the same in advance of thesprocket 104. These horizontal portions also are level with the floor orways whereby the trucks may be run onto and off of the travelingplatforms with ease and without shock. The inclined portions of theelevator, (and the corresponding portion of the lowerer) are preferablyat an angle of about 100 degrees and their horizontal receiving anddelivering ends are in the plane of the respective ways or floors.

It will be observed that the slats 100 are shown as sufiiciently spacedapart and. as

having their confronting faces so beveled as it is in contact whilebeing elevated and will be back of said lug while being lowered.

As alreadv stated, switches or branch lines are interposed between themain line or lines and the traveling platforms and it is apparent that atruck intended to be conveyed from one level to the other will therebybe diverted from the main line at a place ad-' jacent to the elevator orlowerer and can readily be engaged with the latter, preferably by anattendant stationed at this point. It is preferred to form thelongitudinal members of the elevator or lowerer of suitably disposedangle irons or channel irons adapted to provide channels or rails forsupporting and guiding of the chains. The elevator'and lowerer aredriven by a motor of any suitable description suitably connectedtherewith.

It is preferred in practice to bevel the end wall of the groove of eachbranch line in order that it may act automatically to raise the contactelement out of the groove at the discharging end of said branch line,and to so arrange this groove in the platform that the truck may loseits impetus after'it has left the branch and before it reaches itsdestination. This will prevent accident in the event that an attendantis not ready to handle a truck at the moment it is delivered. Ifdesired, however, the groove may be prolonged beyond the conductorsufliciently to enable the truck to lose its impetus before it reachesthe end of the groove. It is also desirable to provide each truck withmeans for indicating its destination. This part of the invention is notherein claimed but for the sake of completeness of disclosure, 1 haveconsidered it to be expedient to show one suitable form of indicatingmeans in Fig. 7. This comprises a plurality of drums 800 and 301 havingsuitable indicating characters thereon, such as numerals for example;one drum relating to the tracks or floors, while the other relates tothe switches. These indicators are preferably arranged below the floorspace of the truck, in order that they may be protected and will notinterfere with the load ng of baggage or freight, and their heads 302and 303 are mounted in sleeves 304 and 305 and are knurled. They aretherefore accessible from above and can readily be turned to exposetheir numbers which are seen through openings 306 and 307 at the frontof the truck.

25 an inclination 45 having an opening,

have provided one which reduces the employment of manual attendance to aminimum, will save time in the transfer of freight or baggage to andfrom railway cars and other places, reduces to a minimum anyinterference with fioor space andflembodies trucks which can be operatedmanually as well as electrically and also enables the handlin of freightand baggage on a-plurality o floors all in a most economical and exeditious manner.

aving now described the nvention what I believe to be new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is I 1. In a system of the class described, a

Way having a groove, 0. propelling means in carrier rom one way to theother, Salt conoperative relation with the groove, a wheeled carrierhaving an element adapted to extend into the groove and to be engaged bythe propelling means,means arranged at with the first way and adapted toconduct the carriers between the plane thereof and a different-plane,and a switch in the way, adapted to. control the movement of thecarriers between the propelling means of the way and the inclined means.

2. In a systemof the kind described, an upper way having an opening, alower way, a wheeled carrier movable upon each of said ways andtraveling means for transporting the carrier from one way to the other,the

transporting means comprising endless flexible members at the sidesthereof, members connecting the flexible members with each other andarranged to form a floor which supports the carrier and elements forcausing said members to traverse an inclined path between said ways.

3. In a system of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way, theupper way a wheeled carrier mov-v able upon each of said ways, aninclined traveling conductor for transferring the carrier from one wayto the other, said conductor extending through the opening in the upperway, each way having a groove a said carrier having a means whichprojects into said groove, whereby its motion is di-' rected.

I 4. In a system of the kind described, an

upper way and a lower way, the upper way having an opening, a wheeledcarrier movable upon each of said ways, an inclined traveling conductorfor transferring the carrier from one way to the other, said conductorextending through the opening in the upper way, eachway having a groove,power means below the surface of each way,

and an element projecting from the carrier and traveling in said groovesand engaging able upon each of said ways,

said power means, for transmitting power to the carrier.

5. In a system of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way, theupper way having an opening, a wheeled carrier movable upon each of saidways, an-inclined travelin conductor for .transferrin the carrier romone way to the other, sai conductor extending through the .opening intheupper wa each .way havin a groove, power means elowthe surface 0 eachway, and guiding means projecting from oppo-v site ends of the carrierand traveling in the grooves, one of said guiding means provided with ameans for en agin the power means.

6. In a system 0 the ind described, an upper way and a lower way, theupper way having an opening, a wheeled carrier movan inclined travelinconductor for transferrin the ductor extending through the openingin theupper way, one of said wayshaving a groove and the carrier having anelement to project therein and direct its motion, and switches tappingsaid groove and movable to divert the carrier from its operativerelation therewith. v

7. In a system of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way, theupper way having an opening, a wheeled carrier movable upon each of saidways, an inclined traveling vconductor for transferring the carrier fromone way to the other, said conductor extending through the opening inthe upper way, each of said ways having a groove and the carrier havingan element to project therein and direct its motion, and switchestapping each of said grooves and movable to divert the carrier from itsoperative relation therewith. Y

8. In a system of the kindvdescribed, an upper way and a lowerway, theupper way provided witha plurality of openings, a wheeled carriermovable upon said ways,- endless traveling conductors connecting theways with each other and extending into said openings, the upper wayhaving a groove between the upper ends of the platforms" and-the lowerway having a groove between the lower ends of the platforms and.

wheeled carrier movable upon said ways, endless travehng conductorsconnecting the ways with each other and extending into said openings,the upper way having a groove between the upper ends of the platformsand the lower way having a groove between thelower ends of the platformswheeled carrier movable upon said ways,

' the latter.

endless traveling conductors connecting the ways with each other, andextending into said openings, the upper way having a groove between theupper ends of the platforms and the lower Way having a groove betweenthe lower ends of the platform, power means below the surface of eachway, and an element projecting from the carrier and traveling in saidgrooves and engaging said power-means, for transmitting .power to thecarrier.

11. In a system of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way, theupper way provided with a plurality of openings, a wheeled carriermovable upon said ways, endless traveling conductors connecting the wayswith each other, and extending into said openings, the upper way havinga groove between the upper ends of the platforms and the lower wayhaving a groove between the lower ends of the platform, power meansbelow the surface of each way, and guiding means extending from oppositeends of the carrier and traveling in said grooves, one of said guidingmeans having a means to engage the power-means.

12. In a system of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way, theupper way provided with a plurality of openings, a wheeled carriermovable upon said ways, endless traveling conductors connecting the wayswith each other, and extending into said openings, the upper way havinga groove between the upper ends of the plat: forms and the lower wayhaving a groove between the lower ends of the platforms, power meansbelow the surface of each way, guiding means extending from oppositeends of the carrier and traveling in said grooves, one of said guidingmeans having a means to engage the power means and switches acting onthe guiding means. and

adjustable to divert the carrier from its cooperative relation with thegrooves at any one of different places along the lengths of 13. In asystem of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way, a wheeledcarrier movable upon either of said ways, an

"endless inclined traveling conductor for transferring the carrier fromone way to the other, and means for directing the course' of travel ofthe carrier upon each way.

14. In a system of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way, awheeled carrier movable upon either of said ways, an

inclined travelin conductor for transferring the carrier rom one way tothe other, each of said ways having a main line groove provided atintervals with switches, and means projecting from the carrier andtraveling in. said grooves for directing its motion.

15. Ina system of the kind described, an upper way having an opening, alower way, a wheeled carrier movable upon each of said ways and endlesstraveling means for transporting the carrier from one way to the other,said means extending into said opening and comprising longitudinalflexible elements, elements connecting the longitudinal elements witheach other and arranged to form a floor for supporting the carrier andguiding and operating means for said elements, arranged to cause thelatter to traverse a path which is approximately in the plane of theupper way for a part of its length and is inclined thence toward thelower way.

16. In 'a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways arrangedupon different levels, a wheeled carrier, means for moving the carrierover the ways in defined courses of travel, and endless traveling meansfor transporting the carrier from one way to the other.

, 17. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways arrangedupon different planes, a wheeled carrier, means for moving the carrierover the ways in defined courses of travel, and a plurality of endlesstravelingmeans for transporting the carrier from one way to the other,the latter means traveling in opposite directions.

18. In a system of the kind described, an upper way and a lower way,each having main lines provided with grooves, the upper way providedwith a plurality of openings, wheeled carriers movable upon said ways,and having elements projecting into said grooves, and endless platformsconnecting the ways with each other and extending into said openings,saidplatforms being moved in directions which cause them respectively toconvey the carriers downward and upward.

19. In a system of the kind described, a

' projecting, from the carrier and traveling in said groove for definingthe course of travel of the carrier, means for diverting it from itsoperative relation with the groove, and an endless traveling meansvfortransporting the carrier from one way to the other. i I

21, In a system of the kind described, a way having an endless groove, asecond way having a groove, one said ways being arranged above the planeof the other, a wheeled carrier, means for moving the car-- rier uponthe ways, means projecting from the carrier into'said grooves fordefining the course of travel of the carrier, and a plurality of endlesstraveling means, respectively adapted to transport the carrier upwardand downward from one wayto the other.

22. In a systemof the kind described, 2. way having an endless groove, asecond way having a groove, one of said ways being arranged above theplane of the other, a wheeled carrier, means for moving the carrieruponthe ways, means projecting from the carrier into said grooves'fordefining the course of travel of the carrier, and a plurality of endlesstraveling means, respectively adapted to transport the carrier upwardand downwardfrom one way to the other, said ways having switches tapplngsaid grooves.

23. In a system of the kind described, a way arranged between railwaytracks and provided with a groove extending lengthwise thereof, awheeled carrier movable upon saidway and having means adapted to travelin saidgroove, and means leading from said way and adapted to transportthe carrier relatively thereto.

24. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways spaced apart,each provided with a lengthwise groove, a way common to .those firstmentioned and provided with a groove communicating with those of thesame, and a wheeled carrier adapted to travel on said ways and having anelement which travels in said grooves.

25. In a system of the class described, a plurality of ways arranged indifferent planes, a traveling platform extending from one way to theother and having an inclined section between said ways and also havingreceiving and delivering portions in the planes of the ways,respectively, a wheeled carrier adapted to be transferred on saidplatform from one way to the other and means in said ways for moving thecarrierthereover to and from said platform.

26. In a system of the class described, a plurality of ways arranged indifl'erent planes, a platform which travels in an inclined plane fromone way to the other and has receiving and delivering portions in the 65planes of the ways, respectively, a wheeled carrier adapted to betransferred on said platform from'one way to the other, and endlesstravehng means in said wa s for -moving the carrier thereover to an fromsaid platform, said means provided with switches.

27. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways spaced apart,each provided with a lengthwise groove, and switches tapping the same atintervals, 3. way common to those first mentioned and provided with agroove communicating with those of the same, and a wheeled carrieradapted to travel on said ways and having an element which travels insaid. grooves.

28. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways spaced apart,each provided with a lengthwise groove and switches tapping the grooveat intervals, a way common to those first mentioned and provided with agroove, switches between the latter groove and the adjacent ends ofthose first mentioned,'and a wheeled carrier adapted to travel on saidways and having an element which travels in said groove.

29. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways spaced apart,each providedwith a lengthwise groove andswitches tapping the groove atintervals, a way common to those first mentioned and provided with agroove, switches between the latter groove and the adjacent'ends ofthose first mentioned, a wheeled carrier adapted to travel on said ways,power-means in operative relation with the grooves of the ways, andmeans projecting from opposite ends of the carrier and traveling in saidgroove, one

of said propecting means being adapted to contact with the power-meansand to transmit power therefrom.

' 30. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways spacedapart, each provided with a lengthwise groove, a way common to thosefirst mentioned and provided with a groove common to those of the same,a wheeled carrier adapted to travel. on said Ways and having an elementwhich travels in said grooves, and an endless traveling conductor,-movable inclinatorily relatively to said way for transporting thecarrier.

, 31. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways spacedapart, each provided with a lengthwise groove, a wheeled carrier adaptedto travel on said ways and provided with an element to travel in saidgrooves, a plurality of traveling platforms connected at one end withsaid ways, respectively, and adapted to transport the carriersrelatively thereto, and means common to the platforms for conducting thecarrier relatively thereto.

32. In a system of the kind described, a plurality of ways spaced apart,each provided with a lengthwise groove, a wheeled carrier adapted totravel on said ways and

